Looking back: Labor Day, 1894

For Labor Day, we dug into our archives and pulled out a piece from 1894, the year that Labor Day became a national holiday. It was titled, “The Sons of Toil Enjoy Their Annual Holiday,” and details the history of the holiday and Albany’s “monster parade” that year.

Twelve years ago, in New York city, Labor Day was first celebrated. The general assembly of the Knights of Labor was held in New York in 1882, and it was proposed by Mr. P.J. McGuire, a member of the New York Central Labor union, that some time during the assembly’s session that year all the labor organizations of New York should turn out in a big parade.

The proposition was adopted and a monster parade was held September 5, which fell on the first Monday of the month. Workingmen of almost every trade took part, and this of course stopped many business establishments and virtually made the day a holiday. The big parade was reviewed by Richard Griffiths, worthy foreman of the Knights, and he as well as all who were on the reviewing stand was greatly impressed. One who was present — Robert Price of Maryland — placing his hand affectionately upon Mr. Griffith’s shoulder, said: “This is Labor day in earnest, Uncle Dick.”

Thus the observance of what is now legally a national holiday began, and thus it was named. On every first Monday in September since that first parade Labor day has been celebrated in New York, and the size of the procession, the enthusiasm of the participants and the more or less general cessation of the people from gainful pursuits have been evidence that the new holiday was justified by the best of reasons — a demand from the highest authority in a republic — the people.

It was not long after the establishment of the day in New York before the idea was taken up elsewhere, and Labor day observances were soon an established fact in nearly every city of consequence.

It was not, however, until 1887 that the holiday was legalized in New York, the state of its birth. The legislatures of several other states set the day apart the same year, and by the close of 1893 this had been done in 25 states.

On September 6, 1893, Hon. Amos J. Cummings introduced a bill in the House of Representatives at Washington making the day a national holiday. This bill was identical in wording with the one introduced on August 28, 1893 by the Hon. Mr. Kyle of South Dakota, in the senate. The bill was finally passed by Congress June 26, 1894 and two days later received the president’s signature and became a law. The pen with which Mr. Cleveland affixed his signature was sent to Samuel Gompers, president of the American Federation, and is carefully preserved by him.

The Day in This City

A Monster Parade of Labor Organizations

The parade of the various Federation of Labor organizations was one of the principal events of the day. It was in keeping with the reputation made by the Federation on similar occasions. The column was formed on State street and at 9:30 o’clock took up the line of march. About three thousand men were in line. Their appearance was excellent and commanded the admiration of the thousands of spectators who thronged the line of march.

The column was divided into four divisions. It was headed by four mounted patrolmen and a platoon of police on foot, under the command of Sergeant Cuddy. Grand Marshal John C. Seaman, Adjutant Herman H. De Rouville and a mounted staff of twelve followed.

The first division was headed by the Albany City band of twenty pieces. The right of line was occupied by the Central Federation of Labor. It was headed by the organization’s banner and the stars and stripes. Fifty men, delegates from all the Federation unions, composed this organization. The Bricklayers and Plasterers’ union came next with 150 men and headed by its banner. The Brotherhood of Bookbinders and Printing Pressmen’s union followed, the former with twenty-five and the latter with fifteen men. The Journeymen Horseshoers’ union No. 55 paraded fifty men. Each wore a new leather apron. Iron Molders’ union No. 8, Machinists’ union and Machinery Molders’ union No. 292 terminated the first division. The iron molders union had over 180 men in line.

E.P. Fay, marshal, led the second division. Gartland’s Tenth Regiment band furnished music. The Cigarmakers’ union was the first organization and was the largest in line. It had over 230 men. It was accompanied by a float tastefully decorated, above which was the blue label of the union and a mammoth cigar, fully six feet in length. Albany Typographical union No. 4 had about 80 men in ranks. Lager Beer Brewery union No. 15 and Beer Drivers union No. 88 had good representations, the former 60 and the later 30. The Bakers’ union paraded 55 men.

Marshal John Boher headed the third division. Local union No. 274, Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners with 100 men; local union No. 659, German Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners, 50 men; Amalgamated Society of Carpenters and Joiners, 30 men; and Machinery Wood Workers’ union, 15 men followed. The Journeymen Plumbers paraded 80 men and the Tin, Sheet Iron and Cornice Workers, 40 men; Journeymen Barbers’ union had 30 men.

The fourth division was composed entirely of floats. Julius Saul had one float exhibiting clothing, and his two delivery wagons prettily decorated. Howell, the coal merchant, had ten trucks in line, filled with coal of all kinds, and wood. The other business houses represented with decorated delivery wagons were Smith & Lape, H. Ammenheuser, Capital Hand Laundry, L. Hough, Thepure Baking Powder Co., McQuade’s Carpet Cleaning Co. and Harry Walsh.

The marshal and aids reviewed the parade at the post office. Every one seemed well pleased with the showing, and all pronounced it a befitting parade of representative workingmen of Albany.